- WWE’s website has announced that Mark Henry will unexpectedly return to SmackDown on this Friday’s show.

They have also spoiled the Elimination Chamber change and announced Santino Marella as Randy Orton’s replacement. The following comes from WWE’s website:

“FRESNO, Calif. – In a grueling Elimination Chamber Wild Card Battle Royal announced by SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long, Santino Marella earned the right to battle Wade Barrett, Big Show, The Great Khali, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match.

The Italian Stallion surpassed competitors from Raw, SmackDown and WWE NXT to win the right to replace Randy Orton – who is out of action with a concussion – in Sunday’s Elimination Chamber clash for the World Heavyweight Championship. In the bout’s final, tense moments, Santino sent Raw’s David Otunga tumbling over the top rope to get the victory.”

I’d rather see Heath Slater or Hornswoggle in the match than The Great Khali. Santino though is a decent wrestler and his gimmick is mildly amusing but why put him in the match? hopefully Mahal & Christian beat up Khali & Santino before the match and take over their spots however I believe WWE are happy for lower carders to be in a main event match. Speak’s volumes really.

Jon

@chronoxiong Punk was only suspended for like a week after his shoot promo on Raw. Sure, it was all part of the storyline, but he was still back quicker than Henry.

chronoxiong

@LVW, I know it was. But it’s still the quickest suspension I have ever seen in wrestling.

LazyBum

It makes me sad to see that something like the Elimination Chamber has become a joke.. They used to have the match at least once every year, with the best superstars imaginable, Now they have a paper-view where they use it at least 10times a year.. Even Hell in a Cell is a joke.. People all over the world used to be shocked or surprised when there was even talk about a Hell In A Cell match, now it’s nothing new, they just over use it..

venom

Santino doesn’t belong in this match.

LVW

@Chronoxiong- Henry suspension was storyline to let an injury heal.

chronoxiong

This is the quickest suspension I have ever seen in the WWE. Storyline or kayfabe.

Tyler

They would never put the Royal Rumble winner in the chamber I hoped it was going to be rey because Mysterio is going to be in milwaukee that same day

Whooper

There was really nobody else to use other than Santino? Even if Santino doesn’t make it into the chamber they could of atleast used someone believeable. Could of used Sheamus or Swagger

r8tedme

OMG what if Santino Wins??!!!!

Jason

Man the WWE roster sucks right now. They need a few TNA stars, maybe Anderson and RVD seeing as how we are not using them right now.

xXFindleyXx

@dick cockwrinkle

No.

Sean Mooney

I’d be SHOCKED if they actually use Santino in the Chamber. Somebody is going to steal his spot, I’m thinking/hoping Christian.

dick cockwrinkle

cm punk wins the elimination chamber, jericho attacks santino, get in chamber and wins smackdown title, triple threat wrestlemania with sheamus both titles on the line. sound good anyone? sheamus pins one of them and the other gets to claim he’s better since he didnt lose his title and fued continues on raw with sheamus the SD champ.

centerman

The participants in that Chamber match are questionable. It’s like and 80’s gimmick match. Sad.

ogitchida

Santino will either easily be eliminated when he enters the chamber or he will somehow make it to the final two… and they will make it appear as if santino is gunna win… e.g. last years royal rumble.. only to loose..